NHTSA Complaint #10567642 — 2005 LEXUS ES330

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, I REALIZED THAT THE PASSENGER REAR TIE ROD WAS LOOSE, MAKING STEERING CONTROL DANGEROUS. I CONTACTED CITY TIRE WHO DID THE ALIGNMENT OVER 16 MONTHS AGO. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT. HE SAID THAT THE PERSON THAT DID THE ALIGNMENT DID NOT TIGHTENING UP THE BOLT AFTER ADJUSTING THE TIE ROD. THIS CAUSED THE THREADS ON THE TIE ROD TO WEAR OUT AND THEN THE TIE ROD TO FAIL. A NEW TIE ROD IS NEEDED. I HAVE A FRIED THAT HAS A CHEVY IMPALA 2003 THIS CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE MANUFACTURE FOR THE PART COULD BE THE SAME FOR BOTH CARS AND THE PART COULD HAVE A DESIGN FLAW IN WHICH THE THREADS INSIDE THE ADJUSTING RODS WEAR OUT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS FOR ME. IT DOES SEEM LIKE A MINOR THING BUT IT DOES AFFECT STEERING CONTROLS WHEN IT FAILS. *TR